<---not in business for anything S related, just friends with a bunch of people that offer services and unique things car/S related.

It's all good. I have just been hearing some gripes from community people that I am tight with about some of the things thats been happening and it got me to thinking (not a good idea usually LOL)

I was afraid of the classified section becoming a "newspaper" style classified section and now that you guys commented on that I am sure it is going to be just fine.

Scorpion bringing up the signature thing again just sparked more thought from me since the signature policing that went on a while back affected several people that I was in close contact with.

I indeed see all the points being made so I will concede my points, politely. I am too socially invested in this site to cause big waves

No worries

 

wtf are you guys talking about?

Somebody found coal in their stocking me thinks.

 

LOL good one, though that's not what Nazism was about.

And that's great. But I'm talking about a little signiture that allows a website link or phone number. Let the sponser be the only ones that can post infor on products, but don't cut out the little guy that can actually cars about more than the bottom line. I know what this site charges to be a sponsor and it's rather redicualious, especially for a small business.

Thanks, this just makes me further understand the mentality of some of the people in charge of this site. And I did mention the benifits to this, so relax.


OK that's enough quoting. Look I'm not trying to start anything and I propabaly should have used a bit more tact in my first post (in a combat zone give me a break). And as far as jumping to conclusions about the Classified section...what did you expect? You make a post saying that there will be a change, give no information on the change, and tell someone it's best to talk about it in the Site info area. Of course you are going to get question and concerns.

 

I'm sorry that advertising is not affordable for you but it is priced competitive with market rates. Before you decide it costs too much compare our rates with those of similar sites and services. The rates are at a level we are happy with. If you prefer a different marketing strategy then there are plenty to choose from including Google AdWords, eBay and craigslist which you may find more within your budget. The rates for advertising on s2ki.com are linked at the bottom of this page and every forums page as "Sponsorship Kit". s2ki.com is a top tier automotive enthusiast forum delivering in excess of 12 million pages each month to over 250,000 unique visitors and the rates for advertising reflect our strong market position and and the high return on investment sponsors receive.

 

LOL I don't own a business or wish to advertise here. I was just stating my opinion. I'm NOT in anyway trying to say anything bad about S2KI. I really enjoy this site. I am merly compairing it to other boards that I have been apart of, in which local mom and pop companies could put a link or phone number in there signatures.

This is gotten a little off topic. The real question, which has yet to be answered, is what exactly is the plan for the new classified section? Can we get a little information on that? Thanks

 

There are sites that allow it and there are some that don't. We are in the latter group as that's how the business model is setup. About half of the revenue comes from advertising and the other half from generous membership contributions. I would say that comparing the policies and practices of those who run the site to "nazis" is bad. I'm not sure how we are to take that as constructive feedback. Sorry for misinterpreting your comments as a touch hostile.

The plan is to move the classified ads to some software that's designed for the job and out of the forums. The software includes a number of features unique to classified ads which are not found in forums software such as sorting by price and location, shipping terms, auction style bidding as an option and photos to accompany ads. it also includes seller ratings, wish lists and watch lists among other things.

There are no changes in policy planned except some changes to how the classifieds are managed, organized and moderated consistent with the new tools available to do the job. None of those changes have anything to do with charging Members for placing ads. Classified advertising is a benefit of membership and reserved for members (in exactly the same way as commercial advertising is reserved for sponsors).

 

Questions and concerns, are of course expected. A tirade about how the site is run by nazi's is different, and also probably likely to offend.

If you don't own a business or wish to advertise here, then I find your comment that "what this site charges to be a sponsor" is "rather redicualious" (whatever redicualious is - I presume ridiculous is what you meant?) is unfounded.

Anyway, as has been said, twice now. There are no changes to member benefits planned as a result of the classifieds being introduced.

 

Spelling errors aside, I was just making a point. $200+ a month is a bit much for a link in your signature. And when it's for a local shop not trying to sell thousands of dollars worth of merchandise on the web, it's ridiculous. My opinion. Plain and simple.

I do wish to appologize for the Nazi comment. I think it was taken out of context, and didn't mean to affend anyone.

Anyway, thanks for the info on the classified section. Sounds interesting for sure.

 

Local shops are welcome to negotiate local club sponsorships with local clubs. $200 could also be considered chump change too small an amount for larger business to even bother about. An ad in the Sunday paper automotive section costs thousands. It's all relative. Many sponsors do hundreds of thousands of dollars in business with members here each year. s2ki is not an appropriate marketing outlet for local businesses with no desire for national or worldwide sales. I would no sooner expect them to be sponsors here than I would expect them to take out a full spread in car and driver (which is $140,000 per month).

Your opinion that $200 or $300 per month without any context as to the value of the business the sponsorships produce is distracting and damaging. Your comment about us behaving like nazis was offensive. The site is modeled to produce a reasonable income to pay it's bills and compensate those who work at it full time. Our prices are well below what the market will bear. I could double the sponsors by doubling the rates but I don't so that the long time sponsors can continue to be sponsors.

There are far more sponsors available at the $500/month level than at the $250/month level. If you want to be laughed at go sell a $200 ad to a multimillion dollar business and try to convince them that you're sure they will make it back. Nobody with half a sense honestly believes you can generate a half million dollars in sales for the low low price of $200 per month.

Go to www.autoblog.com and look at the orange text ads on the right side of the front page. Those are $600/month, each. It's unfair and inappropriate to label us as pricks. We work all day to offer you a good service you would be willing to pay for. We don't force you to pay a cent, we prefer to earn it. Sponsors pay to advertise in their signatures and they shouldn't have to compete for customer recognition with those who don't.

We don't do half of the things we could do to make more money out of consideration of the membership. It doesn't hurt me that people would make wild and preposterous claims about us but it not something I enjoy reading while I slaving on some new feature or upgrade to help offer even more value to membership. If you're going to bust my balls I'd at least appreciate it if you did it for something I've actually done rather than on some fantasy you have about what I might do.

Thanks

 

This is why I'm not in marketing or wear a suit to work.

I tried to apologize for the Nazi comment and it seems to keep coming back up. Drop it or tell me how it's offenesive to you. It's no differant than telling you you run this sight like a Republican or a Democrate.

And you've made your point about the need for sponsorship on this sight. I'm not argueing it with you, I'm just telling you that it hurts the board members more than the companies. Example. Let's say I'm a AEM EMS tuner that specializes in the S2000. If I live in a big city and don't travel, I might be lucky to tune 5 S2000 a year. Now just down the road, there is Bob's Tuning that also does EMS tuning but not so much for the S. They do hundreds of cars a year and can afford to be a site sponsor. So even though I would be able to do a much better job, I am an unknown because I can't pony up the cash to be a sponsor.

Anyway, none of it really makes a differance. I don't have to run this site. I just get to sit here and critise those who do. I would probably be saying the same things you are if I was in your position. But I'm not and therefor get to play the part of the whiny pain in the butt user.

I do want thank the Admins and Mods for your hard work. I know I wouldn't be able to type this if it wasn't for you.